I can't imagine they keep Lewis there for an extended period especially given Sutter's comments on Lewis as a center.
Re the system I find it really interesting. It really is very simple, but I think as chemistry has grown over the years, Sutter has allowed for some new wrinkles creatively. He seems more 'ok' with at least keeping people honest with cross-crease passes than before. I only say that because in the past it seemed like we wouldn't relinquish possession at any cost, and passes to the middle often result in a turnover or at least a contested puck if not a goal/puck freeze by the goalie. It might just be a function of having guys in the lineup with the creativity to challenge people--like Toffoli--or guys that are just going to the net hard with speed that, if they miss the puck, are often carrying enough speed that they can curl away and pick up the loose puck if the pass misses, but I remember that being a big issue, especially given our 'net crashers' weren't crashing. They still kind of aren't, I mean, I think guys like Brown and Lucic could get some more goals just by raising hell (not just on the PP), but maybe they're saving that for the playoffs. I've also noticed guys skating past rather than finishing checks frequently--that could be a preservation tactic too though a lot of it is probably just to keep up the energy/pace as well.
Just musing/rambling at this point
I think as kind of aside you point out how the system can make the Kings blue-collar and simple players look good--I think people sometimes mistake (not you, just in general) the Kings for missing some overall skill when really it's just distributed in different areas. We don't have the raw offensive talent of Ovy, Seguin, Kane, whatever--what we do have is guys tailor made for Sutter's system, and being big, fast, strong on the puck, and smart are all major skills. Players at lower levels have these abilities, but the Kings are the best of the best of guys that are big, tough, quick, strong on the stick, but also NHL smart. We don't have high end danglers or dazzlers but there's a reason a guy like Shane Doan for example is considered a great player and it's not because he's flashy but because he will run you the **** over with the puck or to get it and we have a roster full of those guys. Of course, not trying to discount our high-end talent like Doughty, just saying.
But I Think you do a great job of just illustrating that. Kings hockey isn't rocket science. That breakout diagram is perfect. I mean, d pass to forward on the halfwall. Fine. FOrward on halfwall to the middle to a center picking up speed? Easy. Sort of...when you have an NHL forechecker bearing down on you the Kings are good enough to find holes in sticks, bodies, or off the wall to hit that guy right on the tape with speed. Like babcock said, great teams don't trick you, they just beat you. That's a simple, simple play on paper, but high-skill to get through a forechecker or two.
I remember being jealous of the Russian 5 era Red Wings and after just for their ability to fricking dart passes stick to stick everywhere. Most games this season, the Kings are doing just that. It's poetry.
ALright, no more coffee after 8 for me!
